Survey: SEs and Research Parks 3

[IJR]

Is there any fellow Structural engineer in this forum who has ever joined a reseach park? For those who are new to this like me, a research park at my level of knowledge is a research centre usually in university campuses, where companies are allowed to mingle with professors and do their own researches, usually in development of a project.

My question: How can SEs benefit from a research park? Any experience, pros and cons will do

Thanks all pals
respects
IJR

 

[Qshake]

There are many benefits but the one that comes to mind is peer and client regonition of expertise in a particular field. Of course, one may expect enourmus growth personnally with the experience as well. Now, by expertise I don't mean to say that one is all knowing but rather has investigated or developed something (usually an idea) far more than the general engineering community and certianly less than those of academia.

Certainly one of the downsides of this very benefit is to be labeled by your peers and clients as a narrow-minded individual and that can be very frustrating as well. "Old Bob is very knowledgable about shear transfer mechanism but I wouldn't have him do steel buildings" - that sort of thing.

Overall, I consider it very rewarding and beneficial. I would recommend it to any with the chance.

 

[JAE]

Qshake...that was my response as well....probably very rewarding and allows you to focus on very tight, specific aspects of your research...but not very broad in subject matter.

You begin to be an engineer who knows more and more about less and less until you know absolutely everything about nothing!

 

[Ron]

IJR...where have ya been?

Ditto on what Qshake and JAE said. ANY professional level interaction with peers is usually beneficial.

 

[IJR]

Thanks JAE, Qshake and Ron for fast clear responses.

Ron: For about 3 months now I have been nursing a bad leg. A result of a soccer match and increasing age. All fine now.

Thanks all of you guys for the faith. All the best in 2002.

respects
IJR

 

[Qshake]

IJR, perhaps this should be in another forum..."what engineers do in their spare time" but I am a retired rugger having played rugby for over 15 years and I would really like to know how one gets a bum leg playing soccer?! Is that possible?

Just kidding. Glad to see your back and in good spirits.

Qshake

 

[JAE]

IJR....I had missed seeing all your stars showing up!
Don't speak of bum legs.....please. One of my staff members tore his ACL playing basketball with me. Three other guys did the same thing within 3 months. Then...to top it off, my dog tore his ACL romping with the boys out in the woods. $750 later he's limping around the house looking forlorn. Hope I'm not next!

 

[IJR]

You pals are simply great.

Thanks for it all.

IJR